The number of illegal care homes for the elderly in Portugal has risen from 1,000 in March 2011 to 2,200 in the same month this year.
The figures were released by the Ministry of Social Solidarity, which is working on a national inspection plan to put an end to the situation, which it believes results from the current economic crisis affecting the country.
In Portugal, there are 1,863 licensed nursing homes, accommodating a total of around 120,000 residents.
